Annuals grown from seed are well worth having a go at, especially to plug gaps in the late summer border after the main perennial flowers have finished. I cut back the straggly growth of spent plants, such as geraniums, and create some space for them. I tend to grow mine in trays or pots so they’re ready to plant out as required.

One of the best annuals for height and elegance is cosmos. It also has a long flowering season, although frequent deadheading is required to keep the display going. This summer I put a couple of plants of the lower growing ‘Sonata’ cosmos in a pot with a new white agapanthus. The agapanthus is small at present and they have helped fill the space well. The agapanthus finished flowering last month and I know the cosmos will keep going until the first frost. I also remember to give it a feed of tomato fertiliser while sloshing it onto the toms in the greenhouse.

Cosmos seeds are long and thin, so can be easily handled, and can be planted into modules or pots. Sow under cover March-April, water in and place in a greenhouse or warm windowsill to help germination. Plant out after the risk of frost has past and pinch out the growing tip of each stem when transplanting to encourage stems to branch and produce more flowers.

They come in shades of pink and crimson or pure white, mostly single flowers, but they can be double and ruffled in shape. I love the tall, white variety called ‘Purity’ and there is also a new pale yellow one called ‘Xanthos’. The taller ones need some support.

So, when thinking about your garden next spring, reserve some space for these lovely annuals. Either in pots or the border, they will extend the feel of summer.